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Percussion Technique for Non-Percussionists - Part 2

My last blog post seems to have vibrated with a lot of different people. I received some lovely responses, as well as further questions. Please note that these 2 posts are mainly written for the person who obtains a Gong for personal sound work and perhaps has no previous musical experience or training. So let's look at a few other ideas here today.

Why do I do that?

I've had some people question the way I play the Gongs, “You really should never hit the Gong in the center,”or, “You shouldn't play on the edge (of a Paiste Gong) because you could damage it.” To that I bring up:

Rule #1 - The Are No Rules.

There is no Gong Bible or ancient codex with all the rules for playing Gongs written in it. Unless you have some sort of spiritual tenet that says, “Don't play the center of the Gong,” then I see no reason not to! As a trained percussionist, I'm always interested in the sounds that can be yielded up by the Gong. The center creates a very unique bell-like tone. It is the main note/frequency of the Gong without all/most harmonics and overtones. I find it very useful. A big Gong, played in the center with a big padded mallet, creates a wonderful, clear note. I find it beautiful for quieting the mind and body. It is a restful, peaceful sound. It is the OM of the Gong itself.I think it's important to experiment with playing all over the Gong to find what sounds are useful to you. And useful is the key word here. Perhaps you won't find the sound of playing the center to be useful, and that is fine. Then don't do it. But If you do, play away!

Similarly, I like to play on the face of bossed Gongs, because that produces some beautiful harmonics. Traditionally, a bossed Gong is only played on the boss (the raised center knob/cup/nipple). I will also play on the sides of a bossed Gong because that can produce even different harmonics. So don't be afraid to explore the sounds. Just make note of which ones are useful to you.

Self Portrait #1 (2002)

Mallet Choices

Some of the best advice I can give anyone is, “Change your mallet, change your sound.” I always carry a wide array of mallets and strikers with me. I may not use some of them, because the sound they make might not fit into how I'm feeling at that time. But I like to have options. As a general rule: a large padded mallet will produce a large, full sound, that is soft in character. While a small, hard mallet will produce a small, bright sound that is more brittle in character.

Various large padded mallets

poly, phenolic, soft/hard rubber, soft/hard cord, yarn cymbal mallets

soft to hard large yarn mallets

wooden knitting needles, split bamboo, plastic tubes

various friction mallets

This is just a sample of some of the mallets I will bring with me to a performance or meditation session. For me, if I hear a sound in my head, I want to be able to recreate it. And because I've put in years of practice and work on creating sounds, I can usually pull out the sounds I need/want at any given time. But you have to do your homework.If you are a novice/enthusiast, I hope these 2 posts have given you some ideas. I also hope that my instructional videos (linked to in part 1) have given you some inspiration to go out and explore the Universe of sound that Gongs, Singing Bowls, and Bells give us.

~ MB

Chop Wood | Carry Water | Play Gongs

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Percussionist/composer/writer/photographer/tea & chocolate enthusiast—
I’ve been making music and writing words for 50 years. My life is in a constant state of evolution, and if you’ve followed these blogs, you’ve seen that unfold before your eyes.……Percussion & words are my thing……I spent 25 years (1983-2008) as a contributing writer to MODERN DRUMMER, also writing for AVANT, DownBeat, Rhythm, and other magazines. I’ve published various books on music and percussion, recorded over 40 albums of solo percussion music, and currently obsess over metal percussion of all types.……I perform mostly as a solo percussionist, but can also be found working in various duo & trio formats when the occasion arises. I endorse Paiste cymbals/sounds/gongs, Mike Balter Mallets, and Orpheus Percussion, but realize you might like something different. The views expressed in these blogs are my own. You may have different ideas and that’s OK…